Even through the mat, the floor hurt. Her ankles hurt. Her muscles ached. Hot tears sprang behind her eyes. Rei sat up, her face growing hotter as the tears prickled. She rubbed her arm across her eyes, trying to ease the stinging with counter-pressure and clearing out the ones that had escaped.
"You right kiddo?" Zara's playful tone floated over from somewhere near the doorway. Rei sniffed again and looked up. Zara finished crossing the floor in her usual fashion and bobbed down on the ground. She touched her sunnies but the light was too bright for her and she left them where they were. "What's wrong?" Zara shifted to sit cross-legged, looking quite prepared to wait forever for an answer if she needed to.
Rei sniffled again, once more rubbing her hands across her eyes. "I can't do it," she mumbled.
"Can't do what?"
"Stag leap."